Guatemala – Flash Floods Prompt Evacuations

Severe weather including heavy rain and strong winds has affected several departments of Guatemala over the last few days.

Aftermath of floods and mudslides in Amatitlan, Guatemala, 04 August 2019. Photo: CONRED

According to the country’s disaster management authority CONRED, severe weather hit the departments of Guatemala, Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, and Sacatepéquez from 04 August, 2019.

A total of 412 people were affected, with 73 suffering injuries. Around 300 people were evacuated and 73 homes damaged.

CONRED said that heavy rain caused a mudflow in the village San Juan Gascon in Sacatepequez, flash flooding in San Martin Sacatepequez municipality in Quetzaltenango,

In Guatemala Department, Amatitlán municipality was among the worst hit areas, where around 40 homes were damaged and over 250 people affected by flash flooding and mudslides. Flash flooding also damaged homes in San José Pinula municipality.

Further heavy rain was reported on 07 to 08 August, when Esquipulas in the department of Chiquimula, recorded 178.2 mm of rain in just 2 hours, according to Guatemala’s Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH).

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